Heavy Duty's Front Hitch Build

[OFC Ranger]

It is certainly not vaporware - I bought one and installed it several months ago. He only made a limited number of them and sold out. I thought he was considering doing another run but I'm not sure. It is as good or better than any "professional" setup. I was very impressed at the quality of it.

Hopefully he stops by this thread again. I have some questions about dimensions.

How much did you pay?

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[Heavy Duty]

Hopefully he stops by this thread again. I have some questions about dimensions.

How much did you pay?

Ask away! Next batch will be $325 each, when they're ready, I'll have them up in the members for sale and not on this thread.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Is this venture vaporware or still possible? I have some interest in an unpainted unit.

Not sure what vaporware is but I build these on the side from my other two legitimate jobs. I've ordered material, it takes about 6 weeks from ordering material to be dropping completed hitches off in the mail.

Unpainted, sure.

 

[got3fords]

What is the difficulty of install? What needs to be removed and reinstalled? I don't have ACC, so is prob a bonus. Do you have written instructions yet?

 

[Heavy Duty]

What is the difficulty of install? What needs to be removed and reinstalled? I don't have ACC, so is prob a bonus. Do you have written instructions yet?

It takes about 30min. To install if it's your first time, I've got it down to less than 15. Every hitch comes with detailed written instructions with pictures. One od the easier hitches that ive ever installed, no funny buisness with fishing harware through the frame, etc. No acc is a bonus.

 

[D Fresh]

What is the difficulty of install? What needs to be removed and reinstalled? I don't have ACC, so is prob a bonus. Do you have written instructions yet?

I haven't put mine on yet but instructions are included, and they appear to be VERY thorough.

Without ACC I believe it'll just be your skidplate, towhooks, and the rubber flap in the way.

 

[got3fords]

I haven't put mine on yet but instructions are included, and they appear to be VERY thorough.

Without ACC I believe it'll just be your skidplate, towhooks, and the rubber flap in the way.

Well, no skid plate, so that may make it even easier. I have a Mountans2Metal grill cover over the factory hole. so I assume that would be gone.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Yea it's a lot easier than you think, given all how hidden the hitch is.

 

[D Fresh]

Well, no skid plate, so that may make it even easier. I have a Mountans2Metal grill cover over the factory hole. so I assume that would be gone.

Probably.

Not sure how that M2M attaches, but it would be cool if you could rig up some sort of quick release on it.

If you can hide the reciever behind the M2M grill and pop the grill off when needed that work be pretty slick.

 

[CO2Ranger]

Swear to God if I made a graph between time spent on this forum and money spent on my truck it would grow exponentially. I was considering the 589 Fab hidden winch mount but this might be a cheaper option and keep the winch cleaner long term.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Swear to God if I made a graph between time spent on this forum and money spent on my truck it would grow exponentially. I was considering the 589 Fab hidden winch mount but this might be a cheaper option and keep the winch cleaner long term.

Having a winch that can pull from the rear of the truck is just as valuable. Especially in the snow belt. However, a winch on a portable mount is not that much fun to deploy compared to a permanently mounted winch. Just something to think about.

 

[CO2Ranger]

Having a winch that can pull from the rear of the truck is just as valuable. Especially in the snow belt. However, a winch on a portable mount is not that much fun to deploy compared to a permanently mounted winch. Just something to think about.

Very true, but it's also one of those things where, if you're lucky, you rarely need it, but have it if you do. I figure I'd just secure it in the bed til I need it. Most of the time it'd be stored in the garage. Beats carrying a permanently mounted winch everywhere I go. I'm sure I could mount up a quick disconnect for the power connection.

 

[Chattownranger]

I have the 589 hidden mount on my truck but am envious of my buddies square body that he has built a winch mount for. He can easily swap it between the front or rear of his truck and onto his trailer. It’s a genius idea and the last time I had to winch my truck it would have been so much easier to winch backwards seeing as how the front was in a creek and it was about 22° that day and I would have rather stayed dry.
A little extra work to run wiring but I would say it would be totally worth it. Great idea Heavy Duty and kudos to offering your ideas and services up to other forum members!

 

[RedlandRanger]

What is the difficulty of install? What needs to be removed and reinstalled? I don't have ACC, so is prob a bonus. Do you have written instructions yet?

To repeat what others have said - the actual hitch install is very easy, and the included instructions are very good. The hardest part for me was the ACC relocation which won't apply to you.

 

[snstslns]

Hope you all find this useful. Let me start off by saying that I didn't like the existing front hitch options that are on the market because it keeps the winch too low and will mess with approach angle. So, I decided to make my own that would fit within the bumper, giving the truck an OEM appearance. Although this is right where the adaptive cruise radar module is located, I purchased this truck without adaptive cruise with this hitch in mind.

Remove the bumper, trim, skid plate, tow hooks and air diverter that rests behind the bumper.

Make all the details and weld the hitch up.

Cut the air diverter an inch past where it starts to bend down to make room for the hitch.

Put everything back on using the existing hardware.

Enjoy!

Would love to see a pic of the truck with this from a bit further back if you have one. Just want to see how subtle it is. Great work on this! Been interested in this for a while and not seeing anything as decent as this on the market!

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